I told Karen a big fat lie- but so did Tara. I told Karen to keep Saturday after 3 PM “open” and to be all dressed up. Tara told Karen that she wanted her to be in Salt Lake on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 for a concert they would attend together. It was all a decoy to get Karen to Salt Lake without her knowing for sure that a proposal was on the docket. The weather had become somewhat stormy, so we decided it would be best if she drove out of the Valley over Valley View highway to Tremonton rather than Sardine.

The plan was for her to drive down on her own, thinking she would meet Tara. Meanwhile I would ride down with Yonk and surprise her. Yonk would be the master of logistics and assist in setting things up.

Things didn’t start well. When we left Cache Valley a storm was moving in. I was worried. I was worried that the roads would be unsafe and that even if they weren’t the weather would compromise the portions of the evening that were planned for out of doors. I called Karen several times, claiming to be at work with an extra shift I’d picked up, to check in and see how the roads were and how she was doing.

At one point, when she was just past Willard, she called me and started crying. She didn’t want to drive to Salt Lake and just wanted to be home with me and working on finals. I assured her that the trip to Salt Lake was worthwhile and that Tara would appreciate it greatly.

At the same time, Yonk and I were approaching the summit of Sardine Canyon. It was a grisly scene. A thick blizzard had set in and we had slowed to a crawl. Cars had spun off the road on both sides. After we crested the summit, the weather became significantly milder. The snow turned to rain and the intensity of the storm subsided substantially. Even so, we were going to be late. I called down to Salt Lake and had our various reservations bumped back an hour, even though we were only ˝ hour behind.

Unbelievably, by the time we hit Layton the weather had completely cleared. There was no snow, no rain and only a slight breeze. The temperature was extraordinarily mild and pleasant for mid-December. Perfect.

I had made reservations for a handsome carriage ride at the west gates of Temple Square. Karen was supposed to meet Tara on the corner of South Temple and West Temple at 7:30. Normally, Karen is punctual, but this time she was lingering in the mall. I called her to see how things were. She told me where she was and I insisted that she hurry to meet Tara and not be late. I called her a few minutes later and she was on the wrong corner (Main and South Temple). I then directed her down to the correct corner, and by this time my cover was completely blown.

I was sitting in the carriage, and because it had been raining earlier, the top was drawn. I watched for her through a tiny window in the back and when I saw her, I called her. I told her to turn right and keep walking. She had no idea where I was and the suspense was apparent in her eyes. Just as she was approaching the location of the carriage, I emerged with a single red rose and a letter tied with a red ribbon. She had that female shock look where girls drop their jaw, smile and cover their mouth. It was great. We got in the carriage and went for a ride in downtown Salt Lake enjoying the Christmas lights. I then read the letter, the first of three in the evening. The letters would focus first on our history, then our present state and finally looking toward the future. I read the letter and she got a little choked up.

After the ride we walked down to 100 South for dinner at Martines. I had made reservations and they put us in this private area with an excellent view. They really went out of their way to make this special. Anyway, the food was incredible. This was real Italian, and to be honest, and this is no exaggeration, they made the Olive Garden look like McDonalds. We had calamari, tenderloin, sea bass & mussels. It was honestly the most incredible experience my taste buds had ever had.

During the dinner the waiter brought out another ribbon wrapped letter with another single white rose. Yonk and I had dropped it off earlier. This was the “present” letter, and she read it to herself. It was great.

Following dinner, we walked back toward Temple Square. Karen was a little worried. She had mentioned several times previously that she though Temple Square proposals were not original and that they provided no privacy. But she was still happy. Fortunately we walked through the Plaza and kept walking. Now she was confused.

“Tom are we going to the Capitol?”

“We’re tough, we can do it”

We weren’t really. We actually were going to City Creek Park. It is a small park, only a few acres, on the northeast kitty corner of the Church Office Building. It offers a beautiful view of Temple Square and the Salt Lake skyline. It was also secluded and we had the entire park to ourselves.

Prior to our arrival, Yonk, Justin and Eve had all set up a special area for us. Blankets were set out with four dozen roses, hot chocolate, cookies, candies, chocolates and sparkling pear juice. Surrounding the blanket was 100 tea lights. The blanket was on top of a knoll and a pathway lighted by candles and lined by rose petals lead to the blanket.

When we walked in the park Justin, Eve and Ryan were frantically lighting the candles that had blown out in the slight breeze. Then we went up to the blanket and sat down. I poured hot chocolate out of the thermos for the both of us and we talked for a little while. Sitting on the blanket was another letter, wrapped in the red ribbon. This was the letter looking toward the future together.

I insisted on reading this letter. I did, and we both got a little choked up as I read it. Then at the end, I dropped a knee and said: “As I look to our future then, excited by the potential of our love, and committed to these principles, I am compelled to ask: Karen Elizabeth Ekins, will you marry me?”

She said yes!

Then we called her folks down in Delta and shared the news with them. They were excited, as were my parents when we called, although neither was surprised. Both knew well ahead of time that this was coming.

It was a magical evening, the memory of which will be cherished forever. Karen is amazing and is truly my best friend and I cannot effectively communicate how much I love her or how excited I am about our future together!